The recent heat spells may have dampened our spirits and our
foreheads -- and surely increased our awareness of the
country's serious water shortage. One person coolly suggested
that heat waves are prominent in the Torah. Our nation had
its happy beginning when Hashem "removed the sun from its
sheath" and created a sizzling day to protect Avrohom Ovinu
from visitors. He was so distressed, however, that Hashem
sent him the three angels who announced the future birth of
Yitzchok.

It was the middle of a long hot summer. Each day the sun
blazed down from the bright blue sky and the sizzling air
didn't stir. Miriam longed to get away for a short holiday to
the sea, but sadly, she knew it would not be possible this
year. The local girls' school where she taught English did
not pay its staff over the summer and recent large dental
bills had wiped out all vacation plans.

As `Amerikaners', we lived without family to invite over or
be invited to, but we were the natural address for every drop-
in that arrived to the country and was slightly connected to
family or acquaintances from back home. This is how I came to
host a Seder with thirteen people for the two days of
Yom Tov -- three weeks after having given birth. I understood
that this was my challenge in life as an immigrant.

Many parents claim that their generally positive
relationships with their children are subject to blowups when
the child is asked to do a chore which he doesn't happen to
enjoy, such as picking up his toys, washing the dishes or
taking down the garbage. The problem of balking at parental
requests is common to all ages. How can we get our children
to do chores eagerly and enthusiastically?

Vacation in Israel is a special treat. Many vacationers come
during the summer, and visit the holy sites and perhaps a
museum. Others, like myself, are enchanted by the unique
outdoor sites -- the fresh mountain air of the Golan, the
sunsets over the Jerusalem hills, the allure of the desert
oases in the Dead Sea, and the mystique of the badlands in
the south.